Mickey Rourke to Portray Openly Gay Rugby Player in New Movie

December 28, 2010 06:56:54 GMT

The actor is set to play Gareth Thomas, whom he credits for coming out as a gay while performing at the high level.

Photo credit: /WENN

Mickey Rourke has confirmed he's tackling a new movie role based on the true story of a gay rugby player. The actor met up with Welsh sports ace Gareth Thomas over the summer, prompting rumors the pair was set to bring the athlete's tale to the big screen - and the gossip is true.

Rourke says, "I read the story, it's one of the toughest, hardest sports... and to be a man that plays rugby that is gay, to live with that secret for the amount of years Gareth had, to perform at the high level he performed at, it takes a lot of courage."

And "The Wrestler" star admits he's already in training to master Thomas' Welsh accent. Thomas hit headlines in 2009 when he became the first rugby union player to 'come out' as a gay man.